The cost of living crisis is forcing people to choose between exercising or buying groceries, according to a new report.
A rugby club said children stopped playing as parents could not afford boots or petrol for the trip.
Senedd’s sports committee called for a “radical rethinking” after finding the cost of living prevented participation in disadvantaged areas.
The Welsh Government said it was committed to “promoting equal access to sport across the country”.
The committee’s report says that while the Welsh Government has made “well-intentioned” commitments, there is no “clear and defined approach” to increasing participation in these areas.
- Poverty and lifestyle challenge sport
- “Poor children are losing exercise”
- “Needs work” to close school sports gap
Since its inception in 2017, Caerau Ely RFC in Cardiff now have more than 150 players in their mini and junior sections and attract children from some of the capital’s most disadvantaged areas.
They run a “boot bank” where youngsters can swap boots and have sold more than a hundred pairs so far, but only a few remain at the moment.
“I’ve noticed families with two or more children who may not come because they can’t afford to replace two pairs of boots,” said club manager Johanna Cotterrall.
“We’ve lost a lot of parents over the years to mental health and suicide,” she added.
“What do you do with the parents who no longer have partners and husbands but come here on Sunday mornings to watch the kids over coffee and meet friends?
“And what do you do with these 150 children – there is no other sport in Caerau and Ely that is so cheap.”
Ms Cotterrall said she was concerned about the viability of the club, which often struggled to access grants that would lower fees and ease the financial burden on parents.
“If they live on the other side of Ely, they can’t afford the petrol. On the other hand, you still see children coming but they don’t have what they need.
“The kids miss that connection, they miss the fun, they miss being a kid. So they really need to come back and be kids.”
The report highlighted other issues such as poor transport links, lack of trust and gender inequality, which are also obstacles.
The committee made 12 recommendations, including:
- Call for a “national approach” to address the problem, including setting targets to improve access
- Opening up schools and other community facilities so people have better access to facilities
- More resources to address low participation in disadvantaged areas
The committee also recommended that the Welsh Government follow New Zealand in setting up a pilot scheme to offer children funds to cover the cost of gear, gear and fees.
The Welsh Government highlighted grants available to children who are entitled to free school meals for “school uniform, equipment and other equipment”.
The stipend – increased by £100 for this year – is £225 per learner or £300 for those entering Year 7.
All children in care are eligible for the grant whether or not they are eligible for free school meals.
A Welsh Government spokesman said: “Our program for the Government commits us to investing in sports facilities and promoting equal access to sport across the country.
“We urge the UK Government to act now and use their tax powers to protect people’s incomes at this challenging time.
“We will examine fully the report of the Committee on Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations and will respond to it in due course.”
A spokesman for HM Treasury said: “We know that rising prices caused by global challenges are affecting how far people’s incomes go, which is why we have continuously taken action to help households by improving the whole Year-round incremental support of 37 billion support to help people through the difficult winter ahead.
“Eight million of the most vulnerable households will receive £1,200 in extra support, made available in installments throughout the year, and each will receive £400 in winter to help with energy bills.
“That includes a record cut in fuel taxes and cuts in social security worth up to £330 a year for the typical employee.”
Noel Mooney, chief executive of the Football Association of Wales, told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast that being active was “good for the body and good for the soul”.
“We don’t know all the stories of a girl or boy who can’t play football today because of the cost of living crisis and stuff like that, but we have to know,” he said.
He added that the FAW has a fund to help young people access regular football opportunities.
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